Multiple heat exchange unit



Feb. 6, 1940.

F. B HERZ IULTIPLE HEAT EXCHANGE UNIT Filed April 27, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR FERDINAND B.HERZ

ATTORNEYS Feb.. 6, 1940. F. B. HERZ I MULTIPLE HEAT EXCHANGE UNIT Filed April 27, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG.3.

INVENTOR.

FERDINAND B.HERZ

mum WM ATTORNEYS Patented Feb. 6, 1940 UNITED. STATES PATENT OFFICE Borg-Warner Corporation,-

poration of Illinois Chicago, 11]., a cor- Application April 27, 1938, Serial No. 204,665

3 Claims.

The invention relates to heat exchange units such as used in various arts for the transfer of heat from one fluid to another. As usually constructed, such units are designed for exchange of heat between only two fluids, such for instance as the heating of air by steam or hot water radiators, or the cooling of air by a refrigerant. Also, in some instances, the exchange is between two liquids instead of between a liquid and a gas. Units which are designed for use in heating systems are not usually adapted for use with cooling systems and where, as in some instances, it is desirable to alternatively heat or cool, distinct units are employed for the respective purposes.

It is the object of my inventionto obtain a .single unit adapted for alternative use in either heating or cooling a fluid medium passed therethrough, as for instance for either heating or cooling air, or for other analogous uses. To this end the invention consists in the construction as hereinafter set forth.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly in section, of one form of my improved multiple heat exchange unit;

Figure 2 is a plan view thereof with parts broken away;

Figure 3 is a side elevation with parts broken away.

As illustrated in Figures -1 to 3, A and B are spaced headers which are connected with each other by a plurality of rows of tubes C, C etc., arranged in parallel relation. Intermediate these 3 'rows are additional rows of tubes D, D, etc., extending between the headers, but these tubes instead of communicating with the interior of the header pass completely through the same and are connected to each other by return-bend conduits E. The tubes C, C and D. D in adjacent rows are staggered, the'arrangement being such as to form a series connection between the alternate tubes in successive rows D, D, etc., while at opposite ends of the series said tubes are connected to cross headers F and G arranged respectively adjacent to the headers A and B. The headers A and B are respectively connected with conduits H and I for the' inlet and outlet of the fluid medium and the headers F and G are similarly connected to inlet and outlet conduits J and K. Extending transversely across all of the rows of tubes and in thermal conductive relation thereto are flns L which divide the space into comparatively small transversely extending channels. S'de plates M connecting the headers A and Biaerve to hold, the same in rigid relation and to also enclose the space traversed by the tubes and fins.

The construction as just described is adapted form in. alternatively heating or cooling air.

The heating fluid such as hot water or steam enters the header A through the conduit H and after passing through the rows of tubes C, C, etc., into the header B leaves through the conduit I. The air is forced by any suitable propelling means through the transversely extending channels between the fins and tubes and as the fins form conductive means between the tubes C, C, etc., and the tubes D, D, etc., the latter will also constitute a part of the heating surface for transferring heat to the passing air. When it is desired to cool the air the heating fluid is drained from the headers and tubes and any one of the well known refrigerating agents is passed through the tubes D, D, etc., and the connecting-returnbend conduits E. Here again the fins L will conduct the heat from the tubes C, C, etc., into the tubes D, D, etc., so that the former also act as a part of the cooling surface.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. A heat exchange unit comprising spaced headers, a plurality of parallelly arranged conduits extending between said headers and in communication therewith for the passage of fluid therethrough, a plurality of additional conduits interspersed with said first mentioned conduits and extending completely through said headers, return-bend connections between said additional conduits for passing a distinct fluid in series therethrough, and means for directing a third fluid transversely between and in contact with all of said conduits.

2. A heat exchange unit comprising spaced headers, a plurality of parallelly arranged conduits extending between and communicating with said headers for the passage of fluid therethrough, additional conduits interspersed with said first mentioned conduits extending completely through said headers, return-bend connections connecting said additional conduits for the passage of a different fluid in series therethrough, and fins extending between and in contact with all of said conduits forming transversely extending channels for the passage of a third fluid.

3. A heat exchange unit comprising spaced headers, a plurality of rows of parallelly arranged conduits extending between said headers and communicating therewith for the passage of fluid therethrough, additional conduits interspersed between the first mentioned conduits in each row and in staggered relation in successive rows,

obliquely arranged return-bend conduits connecting in series said additional conduits in successive rows for the passage of a difierent fluid therethrough, and fins extending-transversely between all of said conduits forming channels for the passage of a third fluid therethrough.

FERDINAND B. mmz. 

